Motor, in particular pump motor, and method for producing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor (10), in particular a pump motor, having: outer contacts (24) which are exposed on the outside of the motor (10); motor contacts (14) for connection to at least one motor component such as a stator (12); a circuit board (18); and a housing (20) which surrounds the circuit board (18) and contacts. The motor is characterized in that all of the contacts are mounted onto the circuit board (18) from a side pointing toward the outside. The invention also relates to a method for producing a motor (10), in particular a pump motor, having: outer contacts (24) which are exposed on the outside of the motor (10); motor contacts (14) for connection to at least one motor component such as a stator (12); a circuit board (18); and a housing (20) which surrounds the circuit board (18) and contacts. The method is characterized in that: all of the contacts are integrated in, in particular cast into, the housing (20); a circuit board (18) is subsequently mounted onto the contacts by means of a relative movement (A) in a direction pointing toward the outside; and at least one motor component such as a stator (12) is subsequently mounted onto the contacts in the same direction (B).

Description

[0001] Motor, in particular pump motor and method for its manufacture

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a motor, in particular a pump motor, and a method for producing such a motor.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In this regard, motors are known which, on the one hand, have external contacts exposed on the outside of the motor and serve, for example, for electrical connection to a controller or the like. Furthermore, motor contacts are provided for connection to at least one motor component, such as a stator. All of said contacts are plugged into a printed circuit board containing electronic components, and a housing typically surrounds the printed circuit board and the contacts.

[0006] Individual contacts can be integrated into the housing. This particularly applies to the external contacts, which are usually inserted into the circuit board from the inside, i.e., toward the motor components. The motor contacts are inserted into the circuit board from the opposite direction, i.e., from the inside. Thus, during assembly, the circuit board must first be connected to the external contacts, and then the motor contacts must be connected to the circuit board. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Against this background, the object of the invention is to simplify the assembly of such a motor.

[0008] This is achieved according to the invention in particular in that all contacts are inserted into the circuit board from a direction facing the outside. In other words, the motor contacts and optionally one or more ground contacts are also inserted into the circuit board towards the inside. Furthermore, they can be integrated into the housing so that the circuit board can be connected to all contacts in one step by joining the circuit board and housing together. In particular, the usually subsequent step of inserting the motor contacts into the circuit board towards the outside is omitted.

[0009] The described combination of housing, contacts and circuit board can then be connected to the motor components, in particular to establish the electrical connection between the motor contacts and the motor components. Overall, the described assembly therefore only requires two steps: connecting the circuit board to the housing and connecting these two components to the motor components. At the same time, the circuit board can advantageously be accommodated in the housing in such a way that it can be cooled using the ambient air. The fact that only two assembly steps remain results in a reduced and therefore improved tolerance chain and better automation capabilities. Furthermore, the susceptibility to errors in the assembly process can be reduced.Regarding the plug-in connection of the contacts to the circuit board, it should be noted that this can be achieved by force-locking, for example, by the contacts having pluggable spring sections. However, the connection can also be made additionally or alternatively by soldering and / or welding.

[0010] Preferred further developments are described in the further claims.

[0011] For the design of at least one motor contact such that it can be inserted into the circuit board in the described direction, a U-shaped configuration of at least one motor contact in the area of ​​the circuit board has proven advantageous. The opening of the U essentially faces the circuit board, one leg is inserted into the circuit board, and the second leg runs past the edge of the circuit board in the direction of the motor component to be contacted.

[0012] With regard to cooling the printed circuit board, it is advantageous to form at least one concave area on the outside of the housing. This is located in particular between an external contact and a motor contact and enables the outside of the housing to reach as close as possible to the printed circuit board to be cooled, thus allowing the printed circuit board to be cooled effectively. Accordingly, electronic components attached to the printed circuit board are preferably attached to the inside of the circuit board. It should also be mentioned that the area surrounding the concave area is convex or has elevations so that the contacts inserted into the printed circuit board from the outside are accommodated here.

[0013] As already indicated, it is advantageous for cooling the printed circuit board if it rests against the inside of the housing, at least in some areas and particularly in the concave area. This allows heat to be conducted particularly effectively from the printed circuit board through the housing wall to the outside. With a view to simplifying assembly, it is also advantageous if at least one external and / or motor contact, preferably all of the contacts, are cast into the housing. Accordingly, the housing is preferably made of plastic.

[0014] As already indicated, the motor preferably has at least one grounding contact, which is also plugged into the circuit board from a side facing the outside of the motor. Thus, even with such a grounding contact, the two assembly steps described above are sufficient. The grounding contact can be U-shaped, similar to the motor contacts described.

[0015] As mentioned, it offers further advantages for cooling if electronic components attached to the circuit board are mounted on the inside of the circuit board.

[0016] The invention is particularly advantageous when the stator is fan-cooled rather than liquid-cooled. In other words, it can be a dry-running stator, for example, for a coolant or lubricant pump. This air cooling for the stator can be referred to as the dry-running principle.

[0017] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by the method described in patent claim 9. The assembly steps described essentially require a relative movement between the housing and integrated contacts and the circuit board, which movement points towards the outside of the motor with regard to the circuit board. At least one motor component is then combined with the combination of housing and circuit board in the same direction. Here, too, only the relative movement is important. In other words, a motor component such as a stator can be moved towards the outside and towards the circuit board, so that the motor contacts are connected to a motor component.However, the movement can also occur in the opposite direction in both described assembly steps. In other words, the housing with integrated contacts is moved toward the circuit board, and the housing and circuit board combination is moved toward the motor components. The latter direction is preferred for both steps. Finally, the direction can differ between the two assembly steps. In any case, efficient and reliable assembly can be achieved through the described relative movements.

[0018] The preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention correspond essentially to those of the engine according to the invention. It should also be noted that all features described above and below solely with regard to the engine are also applicable to the method, and vice versa.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a sectional view through essential components of the engine according to the invention,

[0022] Fig. 2 is a first exploded view of essential components of the engine according to the invention,

[0023] Fig. 3 is a second exploded view of essential components of the engine according to the invention,

[0024] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the housing of the motor according to the invention, and Fig. 5 is a further sectional view through essential components of the motor according to the invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0026] As can be seen in the partial view of a motor 10 according to the invention shown in Figure 1, it has a stator 12 which is connected to a printed circuit board 18 via stator contacts 14 and, in the case shown, an earth contact 16. The printed circuit board 18 and the contacts are integrated into a housing 20, which can also be referred to as a cover and further has a socket 22 for connecting external contacts 24 to the outside.

[0027] In the case shown, the external contacts 24 are essentially L-shaped and extend in the area of ​​the printed circuit board 18 essentially in the direction of the axis of the stator 12, while in the area of ​​the socket 22 they have a section bent by 90 degrees for this purpose. However, depending on the installation situation, the external contacts 24 can also extend straight and essentially in the direction of the axis of the stator 12. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the stator contacts 14 and the ground contact 16 are essentially U-shaped and each have a first, shorter leg 26 with which they are plugged into the printed circuit board 18 essentially perpendicular thereto.

[0028] The connection to the stator 12 is made by means of the longer leg 28, which is typically parallel to the shorter leg 24.

[0029] In particular, Figure 2 shows that the legs 26, 28 of the stator contacts 14 and the ground contact 16 have a slot and are narrower than the rest of the contact, so that essentially two spring sections are formed at each end. This makes it possible to establish a reliable connection to the stator 12 on the one hand and the circuit board 18 on the other hand by inserting the spring sections into suitable openings. The contacts 14, 16 are contacted by the wires of the stator 12 via the openings. The shape of the openings can be selected depending on the task. Advantageously, the contacts are so-called "insulation displacement contacts", which cut through the insulation of the wires of the stator 12 and clamp the wire inside. This advantageously eliminates the need for welding, and the described insulation displacement connection is also possible when the cover is closed.In Figure 2 it can also be seen that the spring sections 30 have at least one widening 32 so that a locking connection with a suitable opening can be formed.

[0030] Both Figures 1 and 2 show a concave region 34 on the outside of the housing 20, where the housing wall is particularly close to the printed circuit board 18. This particularly promotes the cooling of the printed circuit board 18 by ambient air, so that heat generated by electronic components 36 can be effectively dissipated. As can be seen in the figures mentioned, such electronic components 36 are particularly preferably attached only to the side of the printed circuit board 18 which faces towards the inside, i.e. downwards according to the figures. In addition to the concave region 34, the outside of the housing 20 essentially contains those elevations which are necessary for receiving the connection area between the legs 26, 28 of the U-shaped contacts.

[0031] In Figure 2, the arrow A further indicates the first assembly step, in which the printed circuit board 18 is combined with the housing 20 and the contacts 14, 16 and 24 integrated therein with a relative movement which, with respect to the printed circuit board 18, points towards the outside. The contacts 14, 16 and 24, in particular all of the contacts, are thus inserted into the printed circuit board 18 from one side, namely the top side according to Figure 2, which faces towards the outside.

[0032] Figure 3 shows the resulting combination of housing 20, circuit board 18 and contacts 14, 16 and 24 as well as their connection to the stator 12. Here too, the relative movement B with regard to the stator 12 takes place in a direction which points towards the outside, i.e. upwards according to Figure 3. In an efficient and reliable manner, in the first step the contacts 14, 16 and 24 can be connected to the circuit board 18, and in the second step the said contacts can be connected to the stator 12. In addition, in the first step the circuit board 18 can be connected to the housing 20 which, as mentioned, can be referred to as a cover.Although shown and described differently, it is currently preferred that in the first step according to Figure 2 the contacts 14, 16 and 24 are moved with the housing 20 downwards towards the printed circuit board 18, and in the second step according to Figure 3 the resulting combination is moved downwards towards the stator 12.

[0033] Finally, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the housing 20 which, in this case, is approximately round and has fastening openings 38 which serve as screw eyes for connection to an interface in the application, such as a gearbox, an e-axis, or the like. The printed circuit board 18 is, in the case shown, essentially rectangular with, in the case shown, two bevelled corners towards the socket 22, but can have any other suitable shape. The external contacts 24 are L-shaped and are plugged into the printed circuit board 18 from the top side shown in Figure 4. This plug-in direction also applies if the external contacts 24 are straight, as mentioned above, and for the stator contacts 14 and the ground contact 16 shown.In the case shown, the external contacts 24 are located on the edge of the circuit board 18 directed towards the jumper 22, the ground contact 16 is located approximately centrally opposite, and the stator contacts 14 are located essentially in the corners of the circuit board.

[0034] From Figure 4, in particular for the stator contacts 14, it can be seen that the connection between the two legs is essentially bent around a line which extends parallel to the legs. As a result, the leg 28 of the respective contact which leads to the stator 12 can be arranged parallel to the outer edge of the printed circuit board 18, and the leg 26 which is to be connected to the printed circuit board 18 can be inserted into the latter efficiently, in particular in the edge region of the printed circuit board 18. As can also be seen from Figures 1-3, the housing has elevations in the region of the contacts 14 and 16, in particular in the region of their connections between the legs 26 and 28, which are not as high, but approximately one third or half as high as the elevation formed by the socket 22.Between the elevations resulting from the contacts 14 and 16, the concave region 34 can extend from one edge to the other of the housing 20 and in particular perpendicular to the direction of insertion of a plug into the socket 22.

[0035] Figure 5 essentially shows the upper part of Figure 3. Here, arrow C indicates how ambient air, due to the concave region 34, can reach particularly close to the circuit board arranged close to this concave region 34. This allows the electronic components 36 mounted thereon (see also Figure 2) to be cooled particularly well.

Claims

Claims 1. Motor (10), in particular a pump motor, with external contacts (24) which are exposed on the outside of the motor (10), and motor contacts (14) for connection to at least one motor component, such as a stator (12), a printed circuit board (18) and a housing (20) which surrounds the printed circuit board (18) and contacts, characterized in that all contacts are inserted into the printed circuit board (18) from a side which faces the outside.

2. Motor (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one motor contact (14) in the region of the printed circuit board (18) is U-shaped.

3. Motor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (20), preferably between an external and a motor contact (14), has at least one concave region (34) on the outside.

4. Motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the printed circuit board (18) rests against the inside of the housing (20) at least in some areas, in particular in the concave area (34) of the housing (20).

5. Motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one external and / or motor contact (14), preferably all contacts, are cast into the housing (20).

6. Motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one grounding contact inserted into the circuit board (18) from a side facing the outside.

7. Motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that electronic components (36) attached to the circuit board are arranged on the inside of the circuit board (18).

8. Motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the stator (12) is fan-cooled and not liquid-cooled.

9. Method for producing a motor (10), in particular a pump motor, with external contacts (24) exposed on the outside of the motor (10), and motor contacts (14) for connection to at least one motor component, such as a stator (12), a printed circuit board (18) and a housing (20) which surrounds the printed circuit board (18) and contacts, characterized in that all contacts are integrated, in particular cast, into the housing (20), subsequently a printed circuit board (18) is plugged onto the contacts with a relative movement (A) in a direction pointing towards the outside, and subsequently at least one motor component such as a stator (12) is plugged onto the contacts in the same direction (B).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (20) with the integrated contacts is moved in the direction of the printed circuit board (18), and subsequently the combination of housing (20) and printed circuit board (18) is moved in the direction of the motor component (12).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one motor contact (14) is U-shaped in the region of the printed circuit board (18).

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the housing (20), preferably between an external and a motor contact (14), is formed with a concave region (34).

13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized characterized in that the printed circuit board (18) is applied to the inside of the housing (20) at least in some areas, in particular in the concave area (34) of the housing (20).

14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that any electronic components (36) are mounted on the inside of the circuit board (18).

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